Location: Baltimore, MD

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland Baltimore County invites applications for a one-year visiting, non-tenure track faculty position in physical and analytical chemistry beginning August 2016. Primary teaching responsibilities will include instruction and oversight of advanced chemistry laboratories. The successful candidate will have a strong background in chemical instrumentation and methodologies with a desire to teach at the undergraduate level. Applicants possessing a Ph.D. in chemistry or related field are preferred; qualified candidates with an M.S. degree and relevant experience will be considered.

Applications should include cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and three letters of recommendation and be sent electronically to apply.interfolio.com/35719.

Applications will enter the review process as soon as they are received and consideration of applications will continue until the position is filled.

UMBC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer; and applications from women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged.

We are excited to extend an opportunity to our OSU Community to welcome our new residents to Beaver Nation this fall by volunteering with this year’s OSU Move-in. As current OSU students, staff, and faculty, you are a key part of helping our new students feel welcome during this exciting time!

The Fall 2016 Move-in Day is Sunday, September 18. More information about how to sign up to volunteer is provided below. The deadline to sign up to volunteer is Friday, September 2.

Volunteering as an individual – Please fill out this form: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bJmy0uL3eUmoruB. This form is for those volunteers who are not volunteering as part of an organization or group.

Volunteering as a group or organization – If your group or organization would like provide volunteers for Move-in, please fill out the following form: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cHfQCJWfFFZBTq5. This form should be filled out by whomever is organizing the group of volunteers for your organization or group.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Additionally, please feel free to pass this along to any groups with whom you work who might be interested in volunteering.

Thank you for helping welcome the newest members of Beaver Nation!

Brandi Douglas and Melissa Rieth
OSU Move-in Volunteer Coordinators

Today we hear from Jamie Saroka, a high school teacher in New York who is just finishing up our online CH 584 course for STEM instructors. Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your story with us!

I was born in Ithaca, NY in 1959. The family moved to Harpursville, NY in 1968 and I graduated high school in 1977. I went to Cornell and received my BS in Animal Science in 1981 and my MS in Nutrition Biochemistry in 1984. I worked as a Research Support Specialist in a nutrition lab at Cornell until 1989 when I took a research position with ISA Babcock, an international breeding company in the poultry layer business. I spent the next 15 years in genetics, after which the company moved to Canada. I went back to school, took all the education classes I needed, and became a teacher in 2004. I have been teaching Chemistry ever since to sophomores and juniors, with an occasional senior thrown in. I did teach AP Biology for two years (as well as my normal Chemistry classes), until a full time biology teacher replaced me.

I was the oldest grandchild and one of my grandfathers was a professor at Cornell. It was pretty much a no brainer where I was going; however, all my siblings went to Penn State. I really enjoyed science in high school and did very well in all subjects. Between a positive high school science experience, a grandfather who was a professor in biochemistry, and my love of the outdoors—Boy Scouts, hiking, fishing, etc.—I went into the science field. I entered teaching as a third profession, bringing a plethora of experience in academia and industry to my high school classroom.

What motivated me to pursue CH 584 was receiving a letter, from the OSU Department of Chemistry, informing me that the class existed. We do receive payroll advancements for earning so many graduate credits. I have taken classes before, but a Chemistry class focusing on different laboratory learning techniques intrigued me. I like the format of the class and have enjoyed what we have done so far. I am always looking for new ways to stimulate my students and make science fun for them. I am hoping that I can pick up something from CH 584 that I can use in my class and pass on to my students.

As for hobbies, I mentioned that I am involved with the Boy Scouts. I like working with youth, and teaching is not confined to the classroom. I am currently an Assistant Scoutmaster and work more with adults at the Council level. When I was Scoutmaster, I had 8 boys attain the rank of Eagle, which I am very proud of. I enjoy exercising and running, although my running has waned the last few years. I have run 2 marathons, New York and Scranton. I enjoy playing golf, but I rarely find time to do that. My biggest hobby now is my 10 month old granddaughter Eliana.

(The picture was taken in the summer of 2015 when I was hiking with the Boy Scouts at Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico.)